THE ATENEO Blue Batters successfully defended their championship title in the second game of the best-of-three championship series of the 76th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), outplaying De La Salle University (DLSU) 8-3 on February 18 at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Coming from a 10-8 victory against DLSU in 10 innings four days prior, the Blue Batters were more than ready to end the season early and no longer force game three.
After a quick top of the first inning through the impressive pitching of starting pitcher and rookie Miguel Dumlao, the Blue Batters raked in their first run of the game through team captain Kevin Ramos. Ramos hit an RBI single that sent teammate Matt Laurel home in the bottom of the first, putting Ateneo on board first.
In the bottom of the second inning, a one RBI double by team captain Pelos Remollo gave the batters a two-run lead.
Another run from Dio Remollo in the bottom of the third increased Ateneo’s lead 3-0.
Ateneo’s biggest inning came in the bottom of the fourth wherein Inigo Untalan, Adriane Bernardo, Dio Remollo and Laurel each scored runs.
In the top of the seventh, DLSU Batter Carlos Muñoz hit a homer, finally putting the team on board. DLSU Batters Imperial and Flores also added two more runs for La Salle.
In the same inning, Dumlao was retired from the mount after shutting out six innings in the ball game, and was replaced by batch mate Nacho Cojuangco.
The Ateneo defense proved to be too tight and solid for DLSU to score any more runs in the game.
Closer Andy Tan was sent in the top of the ninth to seal the team’s victory 8-3.
For the individual awards, Laurel raked in three titles, namely: Best Slugger, Most Number of Home Runs and Most Number of Stolen Bases, which he shared with Alfredo Olivarez of National University, Sebastian Uichico of DLSU, and Muñoz of DLSU.
On the other hand, Tan ended the season as Best Pitcher and Most Valuable Player.
Powerhouse pitcher Dumlao was also named as UAAP Season 76 Rookie of the Year.
